[SBB] Re: [MBB] Bandtailed pigeons

[Ruth Troetschler <[[email protected]]>]

Hi Jean--

I am astonished at the idea that Acorn Woodpeckers are increasing, 
when their range is decreasing due to habitat destruction.  If you 
can find the reference, I would appreciate reading it.

Your observation about Bandtailed Pigeons may be true for the same 
reason.  Human expansion into previously wild lands effects many 
species.  Bandtailed Pigeons in modest numbers have been eating our 
millet this summer for the first time.

Ruth Troetschler

At 10:13 AM +0000 8/21/05, Birdermom wrote:
Dear Diane:
I read a good article last year (can't remember mag. name) about 
Band-Tailed Pidgeons.  Many of them migrate south to Mexico every 
year where they are considered a delicacy and are widely hunted.  The 
other reason cited for their decline is the reduced quantity of 
Acorns available due to the rising numbers of Acorn Woodpeckers who 
have few predators left and who eat many of the nuts formerly eaten 
by Band-Taileds.  I would also assume that decline in habitat is 
another reason for their decline.  Since we bought our Gilroy 
property surrounded by 100 year old olive trees, I've noticed that 
hundreds of Band-Taileds flood the trees when the 40+ olive trees 
ripen (around early summer) and are still there now.  They hang from 
the smallest branchlets while maddly flapping their wings and 
plucking and swallowing as many as 8 olives in a row (which begs the 
question "How many olives can a Band-tailed Pidgeon eat and still be 
able to remain airborne?).  To me, this indicates that they are more 
adaptable than the Carrier Pidgeon may have been.  Also, isn't the 
current theory that the Carrier Pidgeon needed several thousand in a 
flock to maintain critical mass?  Band-taileds seem to hang out in 
flocks of about 30-40 when not in mass feeding flocks of hundreds 
(such as in Castle Rock park in late spring when the rains make the 
acorns swell into large, plump edibles).  The fact that they are so 
wary endears me to them since they seem to be one of the few 
untamable birds - even on my feeders (where they prefer striped 
sunflower seeds).  The sound of their wings can be a roar when dozens 
or hundreds take to flight at the same time (a trademark of this 
bird).  And their brilliant orange beak and green irridescent neck 
feathers makes them a beautiful bird to behold up-close, like through 
the slit in my shutters.  I encourage you to welcome these wild, 
wonderful birds to your yard with tasty plants that will feed them 
(such as oaks and perhaps even an olive)!  Take care,
Jean Myers
Gilroy

-------------- Original message --------------

A digression from list standards, but this seemed like a rare 
opportunity.  So, begging everyone's indulgence...

A call to the Capitola Book Cafe at 9:20 a.m. today, Wed., confirms 
that author Maria Mudd Ruth will be appearing tonight as scheduled to 
promote her book, Rare Bird.  Its about the MARBELED MURRELET, but 
I've no idea if or how much our local area might factor into her 
story.  Check it out here if you're interested: 
August 2005 Author Events 
http://www.capitolabookcafe.com/events/aug05.html#ruth


The July issue of the Audubon Society of Portland's monthly 
newsletter had an article about BANDTAILED PIGEONS.  In it, the 
writer noted the high market value on the birds in the Portland area 
for many decades, and stated the species was probably as endangered 
as the PASSENGER PIGEON at one time and narrowly missed the same 
fate.  Sibley's other Big Book doesn't really address this except in 
passing, so I'm wondering if anyone knows why the Bandtailed survived 
when the Passenger did not.  Was it just by virtue of wider 
distribution in the west, where there might have been fewer hunters 
over a larger area of habitat?  I realized today I really don't know 
any more about Bandtails than I do about Murrelets.  Around our house 
the big pigeons are frequent, dominant at all feeders, and plentiful. 
They're also nearly as flexible at feeding themselves as chickadees, 
able to contort themselves to reach almost any feeder and hang 
upside-down from twigs that would seem far too small to bear their 
weight.  And they're plenty wary, and capable of finding even the 
smallest trickle of water at dawn and dusk.  Its been the same 
whenever we've owned rural or semi-rural property in OR and WA, too.

Both the article and Sibley note the species has declined in the last 
thirty years, but neither offers any thoughts as to what might be the 
cause or causes.

Cheers,

Diane Goodboe
Ben Lomond
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